The Peru circuit (Day 5 - cont.) - San Pedro de Cacha and the Wiraqocha Tempe complex - The 29th of April 2013

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We walked straight onto San Pedro de Cacha main square, where a little church and a small street market seemed to constitute the main village attractions.

The  Raqchi women's traditional clothes looked very different from the ones we had seen in other Andean communities and I was rather interested in finding out about some of those differences (flat circular hats; choice of embroideries, etc.), as well as the local handicraft, we were not "allowed" any time for either of those, as we soon headed towards the archeological complex.

 

 

This unique ensemble built in the fifteenth century made up of housing, temples, palaces, astronomical observations, food observations, food-storehouses and walls is located on the bank of the Vilcanota river (Urubamba) and is accessed by a rather mysterious-like path.

The most prominent structure is the Temple - an enormous rectangular two-storey high roofed structure with an andesite base. The columns being classic high Inca stonework with the remaining height built of adobe.

It was rather impressive to look at, as it proudly stood against the blue sky ...

Adjoining to the Temple to the North are twelve living quarters which are said to have housed both priests and local administrators.

To the eastern side there are some 100 round qolqas (storehouses) in parallel lines, used to hold grains, such as corn and quinoa which would have mostly been used for ceremonial purposes.

 

I was glad we decided to accept  visiting  this Temple associated to the ancient mystical God, Wiraqocha, said to have risen from the Lake Titicaca to create mankind. Not only is he still truly respected here but throughout the whole of South America and beyond.

(To be continued)